Rebus Puzzles & Hong Kong Emoticons

If you’re a bonafided texter, you’ve probably downloaded the extensive emoji library on your phone and are commenting via instagram, facebook and twitter with banana bunches, dancing girls, hearts, flames, waves and planes.

I recently was caught red-handed, texting pools, thumbs, suns and rainbows to my niece in California…confirming my oldest brother’s assumption- that I’m the eccentric sibling in the family (something I’ve always gotten a kick out of considering how organized and calculated I am in relation to my otherwise nontraditional profession).

So, let’s talk emoticons and rebus puzzles. When I’m scrolling through pictures and commentary, it’s almost a battle of the wits, wading through hilarious pictorial subs. The west has finally caught on that cartoons and illustrations are as funny, awkward and amusing as words are- particularly when coming from an untraditional (adult-like) source.

Today’s post highlights a package of stickers I got in the Hong Kong airport last month. They’re hand drawn, glow-in-the-dark and encompass a wider variety of emotion- in the most adorable way possible. What do you think? Are you in your 20’s and 30’s and an avid emoji user? Would you plaster these all over your walls and ceilings instead of the constellation stars we all grew up with? Do share…

September 9, 2013 | By: Shayna Kulik

Bags, Patterns & Global Innovation

You know who’s up their game? The folks at Baggu and the creative team at Herschel Supply. It almost looks as though they’ve taken a visit to Tokyo and have absorbed the product design and innovation abroad, as both brands have incorporated serious technical upgrades this coming season. Last year we did a Japanese bag round up, highlighting our finds at Tokyu Hands, Beams and Porter, and the latest bags seem like a merging of decorative worlds- in terms of zippers, pouches, patterns and collage. If J.Crew’s version wasn’t so small (aka, built for kids), I’d be wearing it all winter long.

August 22, 2013 | By: Shayna Kulik

Footwear Trends from Paris

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Here’s a quick collage of some footwear trends selling in Paris at the moment. Just the tip of the iceberg in terms of shots – but that’s what the blog’s all about – a few highlights! Between Bensimon, Vanessa Bruno, Sandro, Valentine Gauthier, Bonpoint, Surface to Air and Twins for Peace, we’re seeing florescent contrasts, beaded patterns, sport-inspired lacing, floral color-blocking, metallics, spikes and embroidered fringe. For a more in depth view, feel free to get in touch.

Which one’s your favorite? I grew rather attached to the snakeskin strap wedges…

July 10, 2013 | By: Shayna Kulik

Embroidery for Good

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I spent some time wandering around the Artist’s Market in Nachalat Binyamin today and met a man named Itamar Sagi. After working in the New York textile world for a few years, he returned to Tel Aviv to create one-off pieces and hand-sewn embroidery. This doll caught my eye- it’s busy, intricate and bares a story of hope. In addition to handbags and blankets, Sagi also designs dolls for children who have been victims of sexual abuse. It’s a voodoo doll of sorts. To learn more, Here’s his company website.

May 31, 2013 | By: Shayna Kulik

Around the Globe: Visiting Paris

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Hello from the road! If you follow along on Instagram, you’ll notice I’ve been traveling for the past few days. My husband and I joined forces with our friends Noah and Leila, on a work meets vacation trip to Paris and Tel Aviv. Paris for me is never-ending research. Every corner’s inspiring, as windows are filled with one-off pieces that represent the antithesis of mass market culture…similarly inspiring to Tokyo and Scandinavia for pattern, product and color forecasting.

Here are a few snaps from the Paris leg, most noteworthy are the clever quips, florescent accents and metallic/star-studded accessories (shoes, jewelry, bags…you name it). Perhaps on account of Memorial Day I was on alert for stars and stripes, but they were everywhere…in more of a French and less of an American kind of way, but nonetheless…

Thanks to the colliding worlds of social media, we ran into our friend Hillary and her boyfriend Max, an incredible treat to remind you how small the world can feel. We also tested the city bike-share program in antsy anticipation for New York’s recent release and ate copious amounts of bread and cheese between outings within St Germain and Le Marais.

As of yesterday we all arrived in Tel Aviv, and are settling into our Airbnb and absorbing the beach. Watch out for more to come…

May 29, 2013 | By: Shayna Kulik

The Life of a Garment Worker in Bangladesh

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The life of a garment worker varies from factory to factory and brand to brand, but when Fast Fashion’s involved, the circumstances are often grim. After the latest atrocity in Bangladesh, Business Inside offers a window behind the scenes. It’s worth reading, as being informed is just one part to solving the problem.

May 15, 2013 | By: Shayna Kulik